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Biomedical subjects

H Okabe

Publications and source records attributed to H Okabe.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Studies on the constituents of Aster scaber Thunb. III. Structures of scaberosides B7, B8 and B9, minor oleanolic acid glycosides isolated from the root.

Three new oleanolic acid 3,28-O-bisdesmosides, scaberosides B7, B8 and B9, were isolated as minor saponins from the root of Aster scaber THUNB. (Compositae), and their structures were determined based on spectral and chemical evidence as follows. Scaberoside B7 is 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid oleanolic acid 28-[O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1----3)-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1---- 4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, scaberoside B8, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-a lpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, and scaberoside B9, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid oleanolic acid 28-[O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----6)] -beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester. Scaberosides B7 and B9 were obtained as their methyl esters.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Distribution of natural killer cells in periodontal diseases: an immunohistochemical study.

We studied the distribution and incidence of natural killer (NK) cells in gingiva affected with adult periodontitis (AP) and rapidly progressive periodontitis (RP) with immunohistochemical methods using antibodies Leu-7 and Leu-11b. The incidence of Leu-7 positive cells revealed no significant difference among mild AP, severe AP, and RP. On the other hand, Leu-11b positive cells were frequently found in severe AP and RP. The accumulation of NK cells reacting with Leu-11b in the infiltrated connective tissue was greater in severe forms of periodontal disease (severe AP and RP) than in mild AP. These results suggest that Leu-11b positive NK cells may play a role in the destruction of tissues in periodontal diseases.

Adult↗

Familial spinal xanthomatosis with sitosterolemia.

A family with multiple spinal xanthomas and sitosterolemia is described. A 48-year-old woman presented with paraplegia due to multiple intradural extramedullary tumors. The patient also showed marked tendon xanthomas and analysis of sterol composition in both plasma and the xanthoma established the diagnosis of the rare inherited metabolic disease, sitosterolemia and xanthomatosis. Two other siblings in the family presented with marked tendon xanthomas and coronary atherosclerosis, but did not show any neurological signs or symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed multiple intradural extramedullary tumors in spinal canals of the proband and her sister, but not in the other affected sibling (brother). This is the first report of familial occurrence of multiple extramedullary spinal tumors due to the inherited metabolic abnormality.

Cholesterol↗

[A study on urinary free gamma-carboxyglutamic acid in patients with idiopathic urinary calcium stone].

Currently, urinary excretion of free gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-gla.), a terminal amino acid degraded from gamma-gla. containing protein including bone Gla. Estimated to be a more specific marker for bone metabolism and useful clinically rather than urinary excretion of hydroxyproline. In addition, serum levels of BGP have proved to be a significantly valuable indicator for bone metabolism, especially for process of bone formation, in recent studies. Therefore, we measured these parameters in 40 patients with idiopathic urinary calcium (Ca) stone and investigated bone metabolism in those patients. However, in majority of cases studied, urinary levels of gamma-gla. as well as that of hydroxyproline proved to be definite difference from that in healthy subjects (n = 12) and failed to suggest the presence of abnormality in bone turnover in the background of stone formation. Urinary excretion of hydroxyproline were 6.68 +/- 3.89 micrograms/mg.Cr in the patients and 6.95 +/- 3.08 micrograms/mg.Cr in healthy subjects. Urinary excretion of gamma-gla were 55.0 +/- 15.8 nmol/mg.Cr in the patients and 47.2 +/- 7.3 nmol/mg.Cr in healthy subjects.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

[A case of malignant melanoma with orbital metastasis which caused the first symptoms].

A thirty-four-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the disturbed visual acuity and pain on the eye movement of the right eye. He had prominent right eye and CT-scan and MRI of the brain disclosed a tumor which could be obviously distinguished from the extraocular muscles, optic nerve and the bulb of eye in the retrobulbar region. On operation we identified dark-red solid tumor which was 3.0cm in diameter, and diagnosed it malignant melanoma pathologically. Because postoperative study detected amelanotic melanoma in the white patch on the right upper extremity, this right orbital tumor was considered to be the metastasis of it from the right upper extremity. Metastatic malignant melanoma of the skin to the orbit is very rare, while most of the eye-associated malignant melanoma originates from uveal tract, special choroid, and conjunctiva. This case was the 26th case of these in the world and the first case in Japan, furthermore the 4th case in the world whose first symptoms were caused by the orbital metastasis.

Adult↗

Specific assay of serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 by proteolysis with alpha-chymotrypsin and protein denaturation.

We devised a method for assaying serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LD-1) activity specifically by preincubation with alpha-chymotrypsin and guanidine. Cleavage of phenylalanine bonds in the loop of A and B subunits of LD-3, LD-4, and LD-5 isoenzymes (residues 117-119) by incubation with alpha-chymotrypsin for a short time completely inactivated these isoenzymes and partially inactivated LD-2. Addition of guanidine (0.50 mol/L, pH 7.8) to the incubation mixture containing the chymotrypsin completed the inactivation of LD-2. As much as 4000 U/L of LD-2, LD-3, LD-4, and LD-5 were inactivated, whereas LD-1 was affected only slightly. Results by this method (y) correlated well with those by the Roche Isomune immunochemical LD-1 method (x): y = 0.98 x -0.11, r = 0.99 (n = 60). Within-run CVs were 0.5-2.5%. Several common interferents had no effect. In 500 healthy people, serum LD-1 ranged between 66 and 130 U/L, with a mean +/- SD of 88 +/- 15 U/L.

Chymotrypsin↗

[Two cases of blind pouch syndrome].

Case 1. A 39-yr-old male was presented with anemia. Initial blood examination showed remarkable iron deficiency anemia. Small bowel X-ray and abdominal CT examination revealed a dilated tract at the end of the ileum. Surgical operation was done. The surgical specimen showed side to side anastomosis which was reconstructed at the operation for rt. inguinal herniation 46 days after his birth. The oral side of the tract was remarkably dilated. Case 2. A 50-yr-old male was presented with dizziness. He had anemia and clubbed fingers. A small bowel X-ray examination was done and it showed side to side anastomosis in the middle of the small intestine. Surgical operation was performed. The surgical specimen showed side to side anastomosis about 2 m 20 cm from the Treitz' ligament, which was reconstructed during the operation for ileus when he was 10 years old. The blind portion was remarkably dilated. In both case, the anemia was improved after the operation.

Adult↗

[Coronary artery bypass grafting for a patient with hypothyroidism--a case report].

A 59-year-old female who had been treated for hypothyroidism was admitted with angina pectoris and underwent aorto-coronary bypass grafting. On closing of the sternum, there was unexpected bleeding from the suture line between the vein graft and the ascending aorta. Histological examination of the aortic wall revealed sparsity and disruption of elastic fibers and deposition of mucopolysaccharide without any findings of atheromatous change. It is concluded that hypothyroidism can cause histological change of the aortic wall and that surgical procedures involving the aortic wall in patient with hypothyroidism should be avoided if possible.

Aorta↗

[Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at Kumamoto University Hospital].

An increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has created a serious therapeutic problem. During the period from July to December 1987, the prevalence of MRSA was only 72 strains (35.8%) of 201 total staphylococcal isolates. Since then, the frequency of MRSA has markedly increased to 67.3% in 1989, and at that time it was estimated that 30 patients (3.5%) of 850 total inpatients became infected with MRSA. In an early study in 1987, the majority of the MRSA came from post-operative patients; however in 1989, nearly 40% of MRSA were from internal medicine, mainly from immunocompromised patients. The major source of MRSA isolates was sputum (40%) throughout the years, but the MRSA from blood cultures was first recovered in 1989. Also, the major coagulase serotype of MRSA was type IV (18 of 30) in the 1987-study, then shifted to type II (24 of 40) in 1989. Among the several antimicrobials evaluated, four agents; erythromycin, minocycline, ofloxacin, and gentamicin revealed increasing MICs when compared with the results obtained for the MRSA isolates in 1987 and 1989. In particular, the most of the MICs to minocycline and ofloxacin were categorized to be highly susceptible (less than or equal to 0.39 micrograms/ml) or resistant (greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml). Vancomycin, currently licensed for the MRSA infection, will be highly effective both in vitro and in vivo; however, it examinative of the MRSA isolates in the clinical laboratories, especially to prevent hospital-acquired infections and to follow up the vancomycin susceptibility will be required.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Evaluation of serum troponin T measurement in acute myocardial infarction].

A monoclonal solid phase enzyme immunoassay has been developed for the detection of human troponin T. The serum troponin T levels in healthy subjects gave 0.05 +/- 0.06 ng/ml in total (n = 176), 0.06 +/- 0.07 ng/ml in males (n = 79) and 0.03 +/- 0.05 ng/ml in females. Within-run and between-run precision (CVs) of the assay were less than 5%. Various common interferents tested did not affect on the assay, but higher titer of rheumatoid factor, and anti-coagulants such as EDTA, heparin oxalate and citrate affected the assay. In all patients with defined acute myocardial infarction, serum troponin T levels increased 7 to 10 folds the upper reference range within 6 hours after the onset of chest pains and maximum elevation of serum troponin T level was at around 20 hours and its levels remained elevated for 7 to 20 days. Specificity and sensitivity for acute myocardial infarction was 92.4% and 100%, respectively. The results indicated that troponin T measurement improved the diagnostic efficiency for the detection of myocardial necrosis as compared with conventionally used cardiac enzymes and was an effective tool for the confirmation of the reperfusion by PTCA and PTCR.

Adult↗

[Renal and neurologic symptoms due to cryoglobulinemia complicated with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome].

A 55-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome developed complications of acute renal failure and symmetrical polyneuropathy. Laboratory examination revealed macroglobulinemia, positive cryoglobulin, and low complement levels. Kidney biopsy specimen revealed "thrombi" in glomerular capillary loops that were positive for PAS stain and negative for Congo red stain. Sural nerve biopsy specimens showed axonal degeneration and subsequent myelin loss due to vasculitis. We, therefore, diagnosed renal failure and polyneuropathy due to cryoglobulinemia, and treated the patient with double filtration plasmapheresis. Moreover, lymph node biopsy specimen revealed malignant lymphoma of the follicular, small-cell lymphoplasmocytic type which seemed to be related to the macroglobulinemia. The complication of cryoglobulinemia must be taken into consideration in patients with autoimmune disease or lymphoproliferative disorder complicated with renal or neurologic symptoms.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

[A case report of a paraesophageal bronchogenic cyst and an esophageal cyst].

There are relatively few paraesophageal bronchogenic and esophageal cysts in mediastinal tumors. It is often difficult to distinguish between these cysts. Case 1: 11 year old, male with no symptoms. An abnormal tumor shadow was revealed by chest roentgenogram. Before operating, CT, MRI and other laboratory tests were suggested that the tumor was neurogenic. A cyst with a pedicle connected to the esophageal muscle layer was found during the operation. Pathological examination confirmed a bronchogenic cyst lined with cartilage. Case 2: 38 year old female with epigastralgia. Upper gastrointestinal series revealed that the thoracic esophagus was smoothly compressed from the outside. CT and MRI showed a well-defined cystic mass in the posterior mediastinum. The cyst bordered the esophagus, but there was no direct communication between them. The pathological findings showed the presence of a double layer of smooth muscle without cartilage which was diagnosed as an esophageal cyst.

Adolescent↗

[Left atrial myxoma with production of interleukin 6].

A surgically treated case of left atrial myxoma is reported. A 66-year-old man with a history of cough and orthpnea had an echocardiographic and an MRI diagnosis of left atrial myxoma. He had the constitutional signs of myxoma including acceleration of E.S.R., positive CRP, hyperimmunoglobulinemia, loss of body weight, and so on, in addition to the symptoms of heart failure. Cardiac surgery was performed on him under extracorporeal circulation on June 12, 1990. A large myxoma with a diameter of 6.0 cm x 4.8 cm that was adhering to the fossa ovalis with a stalk was resected. Afterwards the symptoms of both heart failure and the constitutional signs disappeared, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Studies of the excised specimen demonstrated that this tumor produced Interleukin (IL-6). After operation the level of the serum IL-6 that was high before operation was normalized. This suggests that the symptoms and the laboratory results pointing to an autoimmune disease were due to the IL-6 produced from the cardiac myxoma. This is the first report that the localization of the IL-6 in the left atrial myxoma is demonstrated with immunohistochemical stain.

Aged↗

Protection of cellular and mitochondrial functions against anoxic damage by fructose in perfused liver.

In anoxic perfused liver, conversion of fructose to lactate was greatly increased to about 3 mumol/min per g liver. This increase in lactate implied that the same amount of ATP was also produced. The rate of metabolism of glucose was less than 10% of that of fructose, as judged by rate of production of lactate. In anoxic liver perfused with fructose, the ATP levels of both the tissue and mitochondria remained high, despite lack of oxygen, thus preventing enzyme leakage and preserving processes requiring ATP, such as bile excretion and urea formation. The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity of anoxic liver perfused with fructose was also unimpaired. Spectral analysis of light transmitted through the liver revealed that the mitochondrial electron transfer system was in the completely reduced state during anoxia, indicating that the mitochondria were incapable of synthesizing ATP. These results suggest that fructose metabolism during anoxia resulted in sufficient production of ATP for maintaining the physiological functions of the cells and the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of their mitochondria.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Mechanized assay of plasma prekallikrein by activation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and amidolysis of chromogenic substrate.

An automated assay of plasma prekallikrein is described. Prekallikrein was converted to kallikrein with Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase, and the hydrolytic activity of kallikrein to H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-paranitroanilide subsequently measured. The conversion was complete within 8 minutes and the amidolytic activity remained stable at least another 10 min at 37 degrees C. This method worked in plasma deficient in Hageman factor (blood coagulation factor XII). Using anti-prekallikrein antibody and plasma deficient in prekallikrein, the amidolytic activity generated in normal plasma was identified as due to kallikrein. With plasma samples, the coefficients of variation (CV) for multiple measurements within run (n = 10) and between run (n = 10) were as low as 5.0% and 6.6%, respectively, and the minimum measurable concentration of prekallikrein in plasma was 10% of the normal level.

Adult↗

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. Ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and DNA cytofluorometric study of a case.

A case of right frontal pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma that occurred in a 7-year-old boy is reported clinicopathologically. The patient underwent surgery on September 29, 1988. Histologic diagnosis of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma was made because, in addition to the unique pleomorphic histologic features, positive glial fibrillary acidic protein in immunohistochemical staining and characteristic ultrastructural features, i.e., cytoplasmic intermediate fibrils and lipid vacuoles, basal lamina, and abundant reticulin networks were demonstrated. The DNA cytofluorometric analysis of the nuclei of the tumor cells disclosed the main mode to be diploid with polyploid classes (4, 8, 16, and 32C) without any aneuploidy. Despite the presence of many pleomorphic nuclei, DNA histogram of the tumor disclosed very few DNA synthetic cells indicating a biologically inactive nature of the tumor. The patient is still alive and totally asymptomatic 20 months postoperatively.

Astrocytoma↗